Francis Gary Powers

Francis Gary Powers was an American pilot whose U-2 spy plane was shot down during a reconnaissance mission in Soviet Union airspace, leading to the 1960 U-2 incident.

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Profession :

Aviator

Birthday :

August 17, 1929

Star Sign :

Leo

Death Date:

August 01, 1977

Age :

47

Birthplace :

Jenkins, Kentucky

Francis Gary Powers was an American pilot and CIA officer renowned for flying a U-2 spy plane during a reconnaissance mission over the Soviet Union in 1960. His aircraft was shot down, resulting in his capture and the subsequent cancellation of a conference between the US and the Soviet Union. Powers had previously served as a USAF pilot during the Korean War and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Prisoner of War Medal. After his release, he worked as a helicopter pilot for KNBC in Los Angeles until his death in a helicopter crash in 1977. His story was depicted in the 2015 film Bridge of Spies.